The Brooklyn Nets have some strange future betting odds after losing Kyrie Irving in an Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Milwaukee Bucks that is now all square.
David Purdum of ESPN noted Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill currently has the Bucks as -150 favorites over the Nets with both Irving and James Harden likely to miss a pivotal Game 5. Yet, despite being the underdogs in this series, the Nets are still top favorites to win both the Eastern Conference and NBA title.
The Nets are +155 to win the East, leading the Bucks at +175. Brooklyn is also +260 to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy, with the Utah Jazz holding the second-best odds at +325.
Jason Scott, vice president of trading for BetMGM, attempted to explain the rationale behind the lines:
“The philosophy is if they can overcome the injuries in the short term against the Bucks, they will be well-placed long term to win the conference and championship,” Scott said, via Purdum. “However, if they both are ruled out long term, those futures markets will change. It's very fluid right now.”
The Nets looked to be in total control of the series after a 49-point blowout over the Bucks in Game 2. However, Brooklyn has struggled to find offense without Harden and now Irving on the floor.
Brooklyn has failed to crack 100 points in each of the last two games. The Bucks have made things a lot harder for Kevin Durant, who is a combined 20-for-53 from the field in the last two games.
Milwaukee has the chance to develop a stranglehold on the series should it win Game 5. However, if the Nets can withstand their current injuries, the books still like them to win the NBA title.
Confusing stuff, no?
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